Major Development Advisory Meeting

Major development advisory meetings are offered to larger-scale projects to explain the City’s development review process. Each meeting brings together relevant review agencies, authorities, and City Departments. They are designed to give applicants an overview of each department’s requirements so that they can successfully navigate the development review process. In addition, these meetings serve to notify City departments of proposed major projects.

Applicants are encouraged to come in at an early stage of project development, especially if they are unfamiliar with development regulations in Pittsburgh. However, it is recommended that projects be past the conceptual stage to allow the department and agency staff to provide more project-specific guidance.

Pre-application meetings are not required as part of the approval process but are offered to assist applicants.

What is a Major Development?

Large-scale developments are generally any one of the following projects:

New construction costs more than $2 million.

New construction totaling more than 50,000 sq ft.

New construction in overlay and special purpose districts with additional development guidelines.

City Planning staff will determine whether a project will be considered a major development based on the specific project information. For example, a parking garage with a large square footage may be a relatively simple development without water and sewer hookups.

How Do I Schedule this Meeting?

Please click here to complete a form that solicits contact and general project information.

You may also complete it at the Zoning Counter (200 Ross Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219).

After the form is submitted, you will be contacted within two business days to confirm receipt and as soon as possible thereafter to set up the meeting. We will make every effort to schedule meetings to occur no later than two to three weeks from receipt of the Pre-Application Form.

Major development advisory meetings may be held the first and/or third Mondays each month at 11:00 a.m. at 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The dates may occasionally change based on holidays.

Meetings are held at the Department of City Planning, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh. When the meeting is scheduled, a specific floor and room location will be confirmed.

What Do I Need to Bring?

The applicant should bring a site plan of the project and be able to discuss the proposed use(s). If the applicant has more information to present, they are encouraged to do so, even in draft form. These items may include:

Site area map

Photos of site and context

Landscape plan

Building elevations

Perspective renderings

Who Will be There?

Representatives from those agencies relevant to the specific project approval will be present. These may include:

Department of City Planning

Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections

Department of Public Works

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

Allegheny County Health Department

Urban Redevelopment Authority.

The applicant is welcome to bring those involved in the project such as the property owner, architect or developer.

What Should I Do After the Meeting?

The applicant will be advised at the meeting what the next steps will be in the development review process. This will vary by project type. Department representatives will also inform the applicant if additional meetings with their particular departments will be necessary.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Zoning Administrator at 412-255-2241 orzoning@pittsburghpa.gov.